Bond fixture composite splice fairing assembly

• US 10,456,823 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Lofstrom, Sven Roy, Littlejohn, David, Smith, Scott Oren
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Application Number:
  US15/232,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20180043418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/78 propeller blades; turbine blades
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/24 Apparatus or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2027/4736 from composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/473 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/10 Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/40 Maintaining or repairing aircraft

Abstract

A bond fixture includes a frame that defines a chamber for receiving a component. At least one bladder assembly is mounted to the frame and extends into the chamber to apply a pressure to an adjacent surface of the component. A caul assembly is positionable about the component and receivable within the chamber. The caul assembly heats a localized portion of the component.

Claims

1. A bond fixture comprising:

a frame that defines a chamber for receiving a component;

at least one bladder assembly mounted to the frame and extending into the chamber to apply a pressure to an adjacent surface of the component;

a caul assembly separate from the frame and from the at least one bladder, the caul assembly being positionable about the component and receivable adjacent an interior surface of the at least one bladder assembly within the chamber, wherein the caul assembly includes a heater operable to heat a localized portion of the component.

2. The bond fixture according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bladder assembly includes a bladder retainer and a bladder.

3. The bond fixture according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bladder assembly includes a first bladder assembly configured to apply a pressure to a first surface of the component, and a second bladder assembly configured to apply a pressure to a second surface of the component.

4. The bond fixture according to claim 3, wherein the first bladder assembly and the second bladder assembly are fluidly coupled.

5. The bond fixture according to claim 3, wherein a pressure is equalized between the first bladder assembly and the second bladder assembly.

6. The bond fixture according to claim 1, wherein the caul assembly includes a heater blanket.

7. The bond fixture according to claim 6, wherein the caul assembly further includes an inner caul, and outer caul, the heater blanket being positioned between the inner caul and the outer caul.

8. The bond fixture according to claim 6, wherein heat applied by the heater blanket to the component is uniform across the component.

9. The bond fixture according to claim 6, wherein heat applied by the heater blanket to the component varies across the component.

10. The bond fixture according to claim 1, wherein the bond fixture includes at least one strap for securing the bond fixture to the component.

11. The bond fixture according to claim 1, further comprising a trailing edge guard mounted to the component opposite the frame.

12. The bond fixture according to claim 11, wherein the frame and the trailing edge guard cooperate to affix to the component.